DellaVolpe, 65, enters the election at a bit of an advantage. Democrats outnumber Republicans, 3,595 to 1,326. The key could be Ansonia's 4,775 independent voters.

"The tax situation is the issue," he said at an editorial board meeting at the Connecticut Post. "The mill rate went up because of state-mandated revaluation."

The state's stagnant economy helped decrease assessed home values by about 25 percent -- and more on the city's West Side, with its densely populated, multifamily homes from the early 1900s.

"Our $1.1 billion Grand List went down $300,000," DellaVolpe said.

Meanwhile, plans to turn at least part of the sprawling, nearly empty Ansonia Copper and Brass complex into an indoor sports center fizzled, while developing a section of Fountain Lake into an industrial park sputtered, at least temporarily.

But DellaVolpe sees brighter days ahead.

The mayor points to the January sale of two buildings in the former Farrell Foundry complex to a Hamden developer, who expects to turn them into a combination of housing and retail.

"This is a key to revitalizing the downtown," he said.

Ideally, more people means more businesses downtown. But that could require better transportation.

"We need more train service (on the Waterbury Line)," he said. "This is something the four Valley mayors need to bring to the transportation commissioner."

DellaVolpe believes regionalization is a must. Combining wastewater treatment and schools with Derby would save both money, he said.

Cassetti, a 53-year-old former alderman, accuses DellaVolpe and Democrats of not being prepared for revaluation.

"Every city goes through revaluation," he said. "But not every city allows economic development to remain dormant like this administration did."

Marini agrees, particularly with the downtown.

"There is no plan for the sprawling 60 acres downtown," the Republican chairman said. "We need to get the stakeholders together to determine what we want there."

Cassetti said he believes in consolidation.

He would hire a city manager with a master's degree in public administration. The person would take over four jobs -- grant writer, mayoral assistant, government liaison and human resources director. The candidate would also require a 3 to 4 percent budget cut in each department and create a permanent, cost-cutting commission.

"I would use my expertise as a businessman to run the city," Cassetti said.